ALLOA'S Championship survival hopes have received a welcome boost after defender Sam Roscoe agreed an extension to his loan deal until the end of the season.

The Aberdeen youngster has become a mainstay for Jim Goodwin's side in the heart of the defence with stalwart Andy Graham since joining in August appearing 17 times for the Wasps.

There were fears the 20-year-old's spell at the Indodrill Stadium was to end shortly, but he has put pen to paper on another six month deal.

Meanwhile, Advertiser Sport can reveal Rangers chiefs have decided to end Liam Burt's spell in Clackmannanshire as he returns to the Premiership side.

The 19-year-old has only played a bit-part role for Alloa, making just three starts and playing a mere 16 minutes of football since October, as he follows Jake Hastie in departing.

The club remain confident of holding onto Sunderland's Connor Shields – whose deal expired at the start of this week – and Hearts' Dario Zanatta, who could see his spell come to an end after Saturday's game with Morton.

Talks are ongoing between the Wasps and their parent clubs, with Goodwin keen to see the youngsters remain at the club for the rest of the season.

He also confirmed the club have been speaking to a number of players who are struggling for game time at Premiership and Championship clubs about the possibility of brining them to Clackmannanshire.

Goodwin told Advertiser Sport: "We're trying hard to get them all done and hopefully we can get those two signed on.

"From a selfish point of view we are keen to secure Dario as we want to keep here. He has come into his own in the last seven or eight games and has become a key part of the side.

"We're looking and trying to get other people in. If we get them in, great. If we can't, then I think the squad we have are more than good enough to keep us in the league."

Without revealing who, Goodwin confirmed there had already been interest shown by clubs in some of his fringe players with the likes of Greig Spence, Ahmed Aloulou and Adam Brown struggling for game time.

Goodwin added: "We have had interest from people in speaking to some of our boys from League One sides.

"We don't want to lose anyone, but we just need to be as fair as we can to everybody.

"What I want is a squad that want to be here. If they don't, then we will move them on."